Well bucket



K. E. LITTLE 'Jan. 14, 1930.

WELL BUCKET Filed July 20, 1928 I 4.% 5 Z. 1 4 a 4 M w rm a IJ 4. i W 4 5 K 2 w z Patented Jan. 14, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WELL BUCKET Application filed July 20,

invention is capable within the spirit and scope thereof.

Well buckets of the so-called drilled or 15 bored well types are characterized generally by an elongated, usually cylindrical bucket body having on or at the bottom thereof a valve controlling a port or opening through which the bucket is filled when lowered into 2 a well, the valve being closed through the weight of water in the bucket when filled so that the bucket, with its load can be drawn from the well. In the operation and-use of these buckets they are lowered and raised into 25 and from the well and experience has shown that the bottoms of the buckets are subjected to great wear occasioned by their striking against the sides and being dropped into contact with and supported on the bottom of the 30 well, so that, the bottoms of such types of buckets usually break down and wear out long before the bucket itself. It then becomes necessary to either supply the bucket with a new bottom or lower end, or, as is usually the case, to discard the bucket because of the difficulty and expense of attempting to replace the bottom or lower end thereof. The present invention holds as one ofits main objects a provision of a well bucket bottom and lower end construction and arrangement by which the foregoing difliculties are eliminated and a bottom construction is provided which is capable of withstanding the blows and forces to which subjected without r breaking down and which will be of suflicient durability to wear for a considerable period ofuse, and which further forms a protection for the lower end of the bucket body and the valve in the bucket bottom.

A. further object of the invention is to pro 1928. Serial No. 294,300.

vide such a well bucket bottom or lower end construction and arrangement which is mechanically and structurally simple, capable of inexpensive manufacture and assembly, and i which further provides a complete protection for the bucket bottom and valve while maintaining and providing a liquid tight leak proof lower end or bottom construction for the bucket.

A further main object of the invention re- I sides in a design, construction and mounting of well bucket bottom valve of extreme structural and mechanical simplicity by which a considerable reduction in parts and structure over the valves and their mountings now in general use is obtained, and by which the lower end of the bucket body forms and provides the valve centering and guiding means, all while retaining for the valve the desired ease and quickness of operation and eflicient and efiective closing and sealing of the bucket with the valve in lowered or closed position.

Another general 'object of the invention is to provide an improved bail construction and arrangement for the bucket, which bail 7 arrangement cooperates with and provides an efficient mounting for the bottom valve actuating or lift rod.

With the foregoing general objects and results in view, as well as certain others which will be readily apparent from the following description, the invention consists in certain novelfeatures in construction and in combination and arrangement of elements, as will be more fully and particularly referred to and specified hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which si ilar reference characters refer to corresponding elements throughout the several figures thereof,

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through a complete well bucket embodying v the several features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse horizontal section through the lower end of the well bucket above the bottom and valve thereof showing particularly the valve construction and its cooperation with the bucket walls which form a guide therefor,

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the valve of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section similar to Fig. 2 and showing a modified form of the valve guiding and centering plate.

A form of the invention is disclosed and described herewith as an example, in which the elongated cylindrical bucket body therein is formed of sheet metal in any usual or conventional manner, but which has its lower end portion tapered downwardly and formed with a series of longitudinally disposed, preferably closely spaced ribs orcon rugations 11 extending, in the example hereof, downwardly to the lower edge of the bucket body. This longitudinally ribbed or corrugated and tapered lower end portion of the bucket body- 10 gives materially increased strength and rigidity to the bucket, as well as serving certain other purposes and functions hereinafter referred to, The upper end of the bucket is provided with a bail 20in the usual manner by which the bucket is attached to a line for raisingand lowering the same from and to a well, as will be readily understood; by those familiar with these buckets andfltheir operation and use.

In accordance withthe invention the bottom of the bucket 10 is constructed and arranged to provide a wear resisting and protecting, rigid exterior band or ring 20 which depends downwardly a distance from the bottom wall or lower end{elosure-2-1 of thebucket. This bottom wall orlower end closure 21 is formed by a suitable metal disk which is, fitted against the lower end edge of the tapered corrugated portion 11 of thebucket, and the exterior band orring- 20 isfitted tightly over and around the exterior oi the lower corrugated end of the bucket and around thebottom Wall or closure disk 2-1, with this, band depending downwardly or extending, outwardly below and beyond the bottom wall or closure disk 21 to provide the flange 22 insubstantial continuation of the bucket body. The band or ringv 20 is preferably formed of steel, iron, or the like durable and wear resisting material, and is. formed in the,

example hereof with an exterior circumferential groove therearound providing the internal ribor shoulder 23 whi'ch'engag'es' and bears against the bottom wall or closure disk 21, so that this bottom wall or closure disk is firmly and securely clamped and seated between the lower edge of the bucket body and thisrib or shoulder 23.

The band or ring- 20 so formed and assem bled with the bucket bottom or closure disk 21 is-secured and attached in position on, and forming a leak proof liquid tight seal with and between the lower corrugated end por= tion 11 of the bucket body 10 and the bottomwall 21 by: solder or the like 274 @Pbliedthereto around the exterior of thecerr ugatedg tapered portion 11 and between this portion and the band or ring 20, with this solder or equivalent material filling the spaces between the band or ring 20 and the depressions formed by the corrupgations so that a tight completely closed joint is formed around the exterior of the lower end of the bucket and between the bucket and the band 20. Solder 25, or the equivalent, is also applied around and closing the joint between the lower or exterior side of the bucket bottom or closure disk 21 and the interior wall of the band or ring 20 and the depending flange formed thereby. Thus a simple but efficient bottom is provided for the bucket which presents the depending flange portion protecting and guarding the bottom wall of closure disk 21 as well as providing an exterior guard and protection for'the side wall of the bucket body 10 at the lower end thereof-L The construction and arrangement of the solder joints as explained above gives the necessary tight and leak proofjoints closing and sealing the lower end of the bucket.

The bucket bottom wall or closure disk 21 is provided with the central opening or port 26 therethrough having the slightly downwardly and outwardly flared or inclined edge 27. The invention provides a valve construction and arrangement for opening and closing this bottom port, through the me dium of which mounting and guiding means heretofore employed for the bottom valves of these types of buckets can be eliminated, thereby materially structurally and functionally simplifying the valve mountingand' arrangement.

In the example hereof,,a valve assembly V is shown which embodies a valve stem 40, which in the present instance takes the form of a threaded boltcarrying the spaced nuts 41 thereon between which are mounted the lower washer 42 and the upper plate 43. A flexible valve-44 ismounted on the valve stem 40 clamped between washer 42 and plate 43 by means. of the nuts 41. The plate is formed with its central portion around the valve stem 40 bent or raised upwardly so that the valve 44, inmounted secured position between washer 42 and this plate 43, has the central portion thereof cupped or dished upwardl'y to provide a concaved flexible valve for the purposes and functions Well understood in' this art.

This valve assembly V is mounted and disposed within the bucket 10 at and resting upon thebottomwall or closure disk 21 thereof, with th plate 43' uppermost and the flexi ble cupped valve 44 resting upon bottom 21, over and closing the port 26. In this closed position of the valve the depending or lower end of the valve-stem40' extends into and centrally of the bottom port 2 6.

A further feature of the invention resides in the formation and construction of the valve clamping plate 43 to provide the additional clamping plate 43 is function of a guiding and centering member for the valve through cooperation of this plate with the inner side of the corrugated wall of the tapered and corrugated lower end portion 11 of the bucket 10. In carrying out this feature of the invention, according to the particular mechanical expression selected and disclosed herewith as an example, this plate 43 is formed of a diameter such that in 1owered closed position of the valve it engages the bucket wall at opposite points to thereby center and position the valve on the bottom wall closure disk. In the particular instance hereof the centering and guiding formed to provide the diametrically opposite pairs of projecting portions forming shoulders 43 for engaging the lower end of the bucket wall at opposite points to center and position the valve into its proper lowered closed position. This is clearly shown byI ig. 1' of the accompanying drawings in full lines, with the elevated, raised, and valve opening position shown in dotted line. By this arrangement the necessity for separate and special structure to mount and guide the valve to and from its closed positions is done away with and a very mechanically simple and efficiently operating arrangement results.

In the formof the valve clamping and centering plate 43 shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings the outerwall engaging ends of the plate projectlons or shoulders 43, are shown of a width sufficient to bridge and extend across the space between corrugations of the portion 11. In Fig. 4 is shown a modified arrangement in which the projecting shoulders 43" are formed to extend to and be guided by and in the space between the corrugations, the corrugations thus forming guide grooves for the clamping plate. Similarly various other forms and arrangements of the clamping plate 43 can be resorted to and the invention is in no sense limited in its broad aspect to the forms here shown. For example, this plate can be square or round, the only requirement being that it have a width sufficient to engage at opposite sides with the bucket wall in the lowered position of the valve so as to properly guide and center the valve to and in closed position.

The usual or any other desired valve lift or actuating rod 45 is provided attached at its lower end to the valve assembly V and extending upwardly to and accessible at the upper end of the well bucket 10. In this example where the valve stem is formed by a suitable member of the bolt type the valveactuating rod is formed of suitable wire which at its lower end is wound or twisted onto and around valve stem 40 between the head thereof and the clamping nut 41. The invention, however, is in no sense restricted to the type of valve stem shown as variousothers may be employed, nor is it restricted to the particular on the upper end of stem manner of attaching the actuating rod thereto, for example an eye can be provided 40 or various other arrangements resorted to familiar with this and other arts. The valve or actuating and lift rod 45 extends upwardly to and in accordance with the invention is operatively mounted on and in cooperation with the bail 30 at the upper end of the bucket for manual actuation in the operation and use.

The invention provides as a further feature thereof a cooperating arrangement and mounting of bucket bail and valve lift or actuating rod. The bail 30 embodying the invention hereof consists of a strip or length of material 31 bent to substantially V shape U and having its free or diverged and open ends 32 bolted, riveted or otherwise secured to 0p posite sides of the open endof the bucket 10. The opposite sides of the bail member 31 are bulged or bent outwardly a distance above the open upper end of the well bucket and then extend inwardly and converge to the upper end ring or other device can be attached for receiving a line cable or the like for raising and lowering the bucket. Adj acent the upper end of the bail across member 33 is secured extending horizontally across, between and connecting the upper sides of the bail to there by brace and strengthen the same, as well as to form a mounting and bearing member for the upper end ofthe valve actuating or lift rod 45. This rod 45 is formed to extend upwardly and slidably through a suitable bore formed in the cross member 33, as will be clear by reference to 1 of the drawings and the rod 45 is formed by bending suitable loops into the same with an eye or ring 46 therein to provide for manually or otherwise engaging the same to raise the rod and elevate valve 44. This ring 46 is positioned within the bail below the member 33 and also functions as a stop limiting upward or lifting movement of rod 45.

The operation and use of the well bucket 10 involving the several features of the invention as hereinbefore described will be readily apparent to those familiar with such buckets. A suitable line or cable is attached to the upper end of the bail by which the bucket is lowered through and into the well. When lowered into the water in the well the valve V is opened and the. bucketfills, whereupon the bucket is then raised, the weight of water in the bucket forcing and holding valve V in closed position on port 26 and being centered and maintained in proper valve closing position by the guiding and centering plate 43. After the bucket 10 is removed from the well, the contents thereof can be readily and quickly discharged by raising the valve actuating or lift rod 45 against the body of water in the bucket. The exterior ring or band 21 around the lower end of the of the bail to which a suitable bucket protects and guards such end, with the bottom wall 21 and its valve V from wear or breakage and presents a durable structure capable of standing up under the conditions of use for substantially the life of the bucket body itself. The well bucket bottom arrangement, valve arrangement and mounting and bucket bail, all present mechanically simply and inexpensive structures and result in a well bucket of extreme durability and efiiciency in operation and use.

It is also evident that various changes, modifications, variations and substitutions might be resorted to Without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention and hence I do not desire to limit myself in all respects to the exact and specific disclosures hereof.

What I claim is:

1. In a well bucket of the bored well type, a bucket body having a downwardly tapered, longitudinally corrugated lower end portion, a bottom closure secured against the lower edge of said corrugated portion, and an exterior metal band fitted over and around the lower end of the bucket and the edge of said bottom closure, said band extending a dis tance beyond the bucket bottom to provide a protecting flange therefor and formed to maintain the bottom closure in position.

2. In a well bucket of the bored well type, a bucket body having a longitudinally corrugated lower end portion, a bottom closure for the bucket secured against the lower edge l of said corrugated portion, a rigid metal band fitted over and around the lower end portion of the bucket on the exterior and across the corrugations thereof, said band extending a distance beyond the bucket bottom to provide a depending bottom flange and formed to maintain the bottom closure in position against the lower edge of the corrugated portion, and sealing material in and filling the spaces between said band and the corrugations of the bucket body to form a tight, liquid proof joint therebetween.

3. In a well bucket of the bored well type, a bucket body, a bottom closure fitted against the lower edge of the bucket body, and a rigid metal band fitted around the lower end of the bucket body on the exterior thereof, said band extending beyond the lower end of the bucket body to provide a depending flange, and formed with an internal shoulder therearound maintaining said bottom clsoure in position against the lower edge of the bucket body.

4. In a well bucket of the bored Well type having a bottom closure with a port therethrough, a valve supported within the bucket on said bottom closure over and closing said port, said valve movable longitudinally of the bucket to and from port closing position, and opposite laterally projecting members carried by the valve for engaging opposite sides of the bucket wall to guide and center said valve in its movements to and from closed position.

5. In a well bucket of the bored well type having a bottom closure with a port there through, a valve assembly for opening and closing said port, comprising plate members, and a flexible valve clamped therebetween, said valve assembly freely disposed within the bucket supported on said bottom closure in position closing said port, means for raising and lowering said valve from and to port closing position on the bottom closure, and one of said plate members'of the valve assembly providing opposite extensions for engaging the bucket side wall to guide and center the valve in movement to closed position.

6. In a well bucket having a bottom closure with a port therethrough, the lower end portion of the bucket longitudinally corrugated, a valve in the bucket supported on said bottom closure in position closing the port, said valve movable to and from port closing position, and members extended from opposite sides of said valve for engaging in the grooves formed between said corrugations of the bucket to guide and center the valve in its movements to and from port closing position.

Signed at Tahlequah, Oklahoma, this 9th day of July, 1928.

KNEUD E. LITTLE. 

